Mark Jackson observes 49ers, seeks big man

WARRIORS

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, December 1, 2011

Photo: Nikki Boertman, AP

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Golden State Warriors center Andrins Biedrins (15), of Latvia, works around the defense of Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, right, of Spain, in the second half of an NBA game Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 116-111. Biedrins led the scoring for the Warriors with 28 points. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
Ran on: 11-27-2010
Andris Biedrins had a career night with 28 points and 21 rebounds.
Ran on: 02-23-2011
Andris Biedrins averaged a double-double in 2008-09, but has stumbled since then.
Ran on: 04-30-2011
Andris Biedrins has regressed since 2009.
Ran on: 04-30-2011
Andris Biedrins has regressed since 2009. less

Golden State Warriors center Andrins Biedrins (15), of Latvia, works around the defense of Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, right, of Spain, in the second half of an NBA game Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, in ... more

Photo: Nikki Boertman, AP

Mark Jackson observes 49ers, seeks big man

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Warriors head coach Mark Jackson spent Wednesday afternoon at the 49ers' practice in Santa Clara, and he plans to check out the Raiders' workout today in Alameda.

No, Jackson isn't scouring football fields in hopes of finding his next starting big man, but the Warriors' search for a center might take that kind of creativity.

With a shortened offseason for free-agent wooing, a stricter salary cap and a lack of tradeable draft picks, the Warriors can't necessarily take the usual route for acquiring a center.

"We'd like to add to the roster, and everybody knows that we'd like to add size and increase our depth overall," general manager Larry Riley said. "But how do you do it?"

The Warriors clearly want to upgrade over Andris Biedrins, who still has three years and $27 million remaining on his contract but has struggled the past two seasons.

Warriors sources said they have evaluated all of those centers, but they may not have enough salary-cap space for one of the bigger-name guys. Even if they use the amnesty clause (which allows a team to cut a player without a salary cap hit) on Charlie Bell, they'll have about $10 million to parse between a center and a big guard - the team's top two offseason priorities.

Of course, the Warriors would love to get in on the trade sweepstakes for Orlando centerDwight Howard, who is set to become a free agent in 2012. But Magic executives have shown no interest in the Warriors' offers, team sources said.

That could leave the Warriors looking at second-tier centers from a second-tier free-agent class. Less than inspiring names like Jarron or Jason Collins, Joel Przybilla or Kurt Thomas might be the most realistic.

Team sources said they won't cut Biedrins or David Lee under the amnesty clause, and are considering saving that for another year. Reported interest in forwards David West and Yi Jianlian would be true "only if they fell into our laps for a low dollar," according to Warriors sources.

"We're going to be very aggressive to improve this basketball team," Jackson said in a phone interview before the 49ers' practice. "We need to get some big bodies. The type of basketball we're going to be playing is going to be very demanding, and it's going to be very useful to have quality big men."

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can't actually offer contracts or sign players prior to the Dec. 9 start of training camp. The regular season will tip off a little more than two weeks later on Dec. 25.

So Biedrins, who has been a shell of himself the past two seasons, becomes that much more important considering the time crunch caused by the offseason lockout.

"The slate for everyone is going to be clean," Jackson said. "There's going to be an opportunity for everyone to demand minutes, play with confidence and make an imprint on this team. I'm not looking at film and deciding what a player can and can't do.

"If you work your tail off, you're going to have an opportunity to play for me. He was a dominant player on the boards and blocked some shots, and there is no reason why he can't do that again."

Jackson was a master motivator as a point guard and continues that as a pastor in Southern California. Still, days away from taking the reins of his first coaching gig, he was looking to add to his skills.

He reached out to 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh this week and was invited to Wednesday's practice. Earlier this summer, Raiders coach Hue Jackson contacted Mark Jackson and the two are still working to iron out today's schedule.

"It's inspiring to watch their example, whether it's the Niners or the Raiders," Mark Jackson said. "When people questioned them, didn't believe that they'd be relevant, it's inspiring to watch. Not only can you talk about doing it, but you can go out and do it."